People Advisor

We are looking for an experienced and proactive People Advisor to join our People team within the Supply Chain Division of HarperCollins Publishers on a Fixed Term Basis to cover a period of maternity leave. In this role, you will be instrumental in supporting our People initiatives, ensuring that our workforce is engaged, motivated, and aligned with our business objectives. The ideal candidate will have experience in industries such as manufacturing, distribution, engineering, or construction, as well as familiarity of working within unionised environments. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth and efficiency of our supply chain operations while fostering a positive and collaborative workplace culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Employee Relations: Provide coaching, guidance and support to managers on a wide range of People-related issues, including absence management, performance management, conduct and capability management, conflict resolution, and employee engagement initiatives. Ensuring compliance with policies and procedures while still taking a person-centred approach.
• Performance Management: Supporting managers and employees to maximise performance, identifying training needs, helping managers to identify capability or conduct related issues and ensuring implementation of effective change programmes to deliver positive outcomes.
• People Metrics & Reporting: Maintain People metrics and reporting systems to track employee performance, turnover rates, absence levels and patterns, and other key indicators relevant to the supply chain division. Being an Excel whizz is a bonus! Being able to collate data to support evidenced based decision making is key.
• Recruitment & Talent Acquisition: Collaborate with hiring managers to identify staffing needs, develop job descriptions, and manage the recruitment process for supply chain roles, ensuring a diverse and talented candidate pool. Ensuring optimum staffing for each department in line with varying business needs.
• Onboarding & Training: Facilitate the onboarding process for new employees, ensuring a smooth transition into the company. Identify training needs and coordinate development programs to enhance employee skills within the supply chain division.
• Offboarding: Providing support to employees and managers in regard to retirements, resignations and other exits from the business to ensure clear and effective communication, appropriate support and compliance with policies and relevant legislation.
• Policy Development: Assist in the development and implementation of People policies and procedures that align with company goals and comply with UK employment law.
• Employee Engagement: Support initiatives to enhance employee morale and engagement within the supply chain team, including surveys, feedback mechanisms, etc.
• Compliance: Ensure compliance with all relevant employment legislation and best practices, liaising with the People Business Partner in advising management on necessary changes and updates.
• Union relationships and engagement: Actively participate in creating positive working relationships with Union Representatives.
• General: Actively participate in various group HR initiatives. Identify business opportunities and capitalise on them. Continually review the contribution of the role and function in general, making recommendations for change. Build strong, constructive relationships with all staff. Be a champion for the department, actively raising its profile through positive impact on the business. Carry out core administration procedures and liaise with HR Administrators where support is required.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Experience of working in fast paced HR role.
• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field or equivalent workplace experience.
• CIPD qualification (or equivalent) is preferred but not essential.
• Ideally, you will have a number of years of experience in a People role, with a focus on employee relations and recruitment.
• Experience in industries such as manufacturing, distribution, engineering, or construction is desirable.
• Familiarity with unionised environments and collective bargaining processes.
• Excellent multitasker who can prioritise and manage own workload.
• Ability to communicate at all levels, both in writing and verbally.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Strong numeracy and data handling skills.
• Ability to perform in a collaborative fast paced environment.
• Good work ethic with initiative and motivation.
• Ability to deal sensitively with confidential information.
• Customer service skills, with ability to manage stakeholder expectations.
• Ability to ensure policies, practices and procedures are developed and communicated in a fair and consistent manner in accordance with best practice and legislation.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and People best practices.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships at all levels of the organisation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and People Management Software such as Edays, use of ATS and multi-jobs board posting platforms, etc.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• A supportive and collaborative work environment.
• The chance to make a meaningful impact as part of the wider People Team.